Traffic signal stand



Nov. 8, 1949 H. E. FRYE 2,48%644 TRAFFIC SIGNAL 'STAND Filed May 2, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 8, 1949 H. B. FRYE TRAFFIC SIGNAL STAND 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 2, 1947 Patented Nov. 8, 1949 TRAFFIC SIGNAL STAND Harold B. Frye, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to Noma Electric Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Maryland Application May 2, 1947, Serial No. 745,584

4 Claims.

My invention relates to traic signals termed dares which are to be placed at the roadside according to trailic regulations to signal the presence of a stopped vehicle. It relates specically to such flares where the signal is given to approaching vehicles on the highway by reilection from a prismatic reilector. Flares using two such reflectors, one above the other, and facing both ways on the highway have been approved by government regulations and my invention adapts itself readily to such use.

It is desirable in such devices to provide for a self-contained housing to protect the lenses, although the lenses may be made of Lucite, and it is also desirable to utilize the case or housing for a mounting base for the device on the roadway. A dilliculty that arises in this connection is that the surface of a roadway is not even, and it may be diflicult to find a spot where the signal can be placed in such a manner as to operate the most efficient way.

Objects of my invention are to provide a highway signal flare which forms a very compact package when closed, is inexpensive to manufacture, but which is sturdy and iully complies with the regulations as to protection of the lens structure. Another object is to provide for a cover member for the lens structure which provides support for the same on the roadway when opened up, by means of spaced edge portions, rather than to act as a flat table-like member. Another object is to provide for supporting the flare mounting plate in a Vertical position when the mounting case is open and placed on a supporting surface, without the use of latches or interlocking means which may or may not be applied by a careless operator.

An object is further to provide a device which will withstand a wind test, which is given by placing the device on its base as it will be used for traflic purposes at a forty-rive degree angle to a strong draft of air and noting that strength of draft which will blow the device over.

This application is a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 637,653 iiled December 28th, 1945, now abandoned, iiled for the purpose of introducing into the disclosure not only the original structure as illustrated, but a simplified modification thereof which falls within the inventive scope of the original disclosure and claims.

I illustrate in the drawings two structures which constitute preferred embodiments of my invention, and illustrate the novel features and advantages of my invention, and in the appended claims set forth the novelty inherent in 2 the structures disclosed and equivalent structures serving the same or an analogous purpose.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective of the device in closed position. Fig. 2 is a perspective View showing the device in position which it will assume in use. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3*-3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a view on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a View on the line 6--6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a modiiied form of my invention showing the case closed. In carrying the case about, in this form, it will be inverted from Fig. 7

Fig. 8 is a perspective View showing the modication of Fig. 7 in extended condition. Fig. 9 is a detail elevation illustrating the structure at the inside oi the top of the frame of the device of Fig. 'l with reference to the sliding plates.

Fig. l0 is a central vertical section through the said device when in closed position.

Fig. 11 is a central vertical section through the said device when mounted on a supporting surface.

Fig. l2 is a front elevation of the said device partly in section.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing how the cam structure is provided at the upper inside of the case, as taken on lines I3-I3 of Fig. 12.

While the case proper may be constructed in various ways, a simple welded together structure may be formed of a curved upper plate l, to which plate are welded small curved angle plates 2 and 3. The sides of the case are formed of plates 4, which have a pair of slots '5, 5, therein, which plates are welded at the top to the projecting anges of the angle plates 2 and 3. Welded to the two side plates 4, and projecting across the middle of the device is a plate 6 which may be made of openwork metal or expanded metal as indicated. For convenience in welding to the plates 4, the member 6 may be formed with side flanges 6a.

Pairs of circular prismatic Lucite lenses l, "l, and 8, 8, are assembled together with their prism cut faces inwardly and with an intervening metal plate 9 between them. The expanded metal cross plate 6 is formed with holes to receive the assemblies to form two reilecting lenses, one above the other facing each way of the device. The lenses, assembled in pairs back to back as described, are embraced in metal annular channel strips IIJ, which are in turn spot welded in place in the holes of the openwork metal of the cross plate. This is only one way in which this mount--` ing plate and lenses may be constructed.

The reason why the metal cross plate is preferably made of openwork construction is to cut down wind resistance of the device when in use.

The closing plates of the device are preferably formed of heavier metal than the case as now described. There are two of these as indicated at II and I2. These plates have right angle side flanges I3'. Each has; one end provided.' with supporting studs I3a, which pass throughr the slots 5 and through the side flanges and are riveted in place in assembling. By means of these studs, one end of each plate slides in the slots 5, 5, at; one side of the cage, and may be pushed to a position of completely closing the case, or to a position where the flare portion thereof is completely exposed, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The side plates 4 have anges I4 under which the.v plates I I and I2 slide. The ends I4a of the plates I I and. I2 are curved to close the lower end of the casing when the device is in its closed position, as in Fig. 3.

With this construction, the position inwhich the are mounting plate stands with reference to the two closure plates II and I2, depends upon the lower termination point of the ilanges I on the two side plates.

As shown in Fig. 2, when the closure plates are pulled completely down where their supperting studs are in the lower ends of the slots oi the side plates, they can be swung outwardly, in

which case the lower ends of the flanges le will rest on the extended plates, and the lens mounting will stand vertically upright, as shown in said -gures. If the lower end of the flanges I4 were higher up, then the cover plates would swing to a wider angle before the ends of the flanges would rest upon them. In no event can the cover plates be swung out to support the nare until they are pulled clear down to their lower position.

As a result, the edges Illa of the coverY plates can be placed on the ground, it being relatively easy to nd a place where this can be done while supporting the body of the nare in a position that is perpendicular with reference to the roadway to be equipped. The device will withstand any wind pressure which needs to be provided for in connection with a traffic signal for nare purposes, because of the weight of the cover plates, and the overall width of the structure. The slots in the sides of the case permit the case to withstand a strong wind.

It can obviously be arranged that the end' plates 2 of the case can be arranged to rest on the ground'. when the device is set up, by providing or a wider angle for the open position of the two cover plates in the manner above described.

To permit the manipulation of the cover. plates, small handles l5 may be provided on each of them, although it is contemplated that finger ledges could be provided by forming up the metal of the plates at the point where the handles. are located.

To hold the cover plates inposition when closed against sliding downwardly, in case of wear or careless variation of dimensions of the parts so that the lit of the cover plates is not snug, I provided holes I6 in the lower portions of the flanges I4 of the side plates, and small knobs I1 on the outsideV of the cover plates to snap into these holes when the covers are in home position.

Referring now to the modification of'Fig. l et seq. of the drawings, the frame of the device is formed of a single piece, bent to form a; top 2Q and sides 2l. Both; edges of` the plate are flanged as at a1and. 21a to form. the. outer walls of a slideway for the closing plates. As shown the flanges are cut in at the corners to permit of forming up the three sided structure.

The plate 23 carrying the prismatic lenses 24 is formed with tongues on each side as at 23a and 23D, which tongues are inserted into slots in the sides 2| of the frame. Before inserting the plate the frame a cam piece 25, Csee. Fig. 13) is secured to its two upper ends by means of a slot 25a in each cam piece and a tongue 26 on the upper corner of the plate.

To. hold the frame together about the plate, the lower ends of the. two side frame branches thereof are secured together by tie rods 21, two in number in this case, which tie rods also serve another and important function. Prior to inserting the` tie rods, the.; two sliding cover plates are set into the frame. The cover plates consist of flat plate portions 28 curved inwardly at 29 at the bottom, so that when the plates are in position of' closing the frame the ends of the plates will abutI each other as indicated at 3U in Fig. 10". The platesl also have ilanges' 28a, 2da, at each side, which flanges are deeper at the one end orf-each plate, and are cut to form hooks SI.

Examination of-Fig. 1I will' show that the hook portions are oi suchY dimension that the plates cannotY be withdrawnV through theA spaceV between the tie rods and the lower portions of the side frame pieces. Also, the space between the tieI rods at the lens carrying plate is such thatr when the hooks, lie over the ti'e rod, in each instance the inner edge of the plates willA abut againstv the lens plate so that the two closures platesY cannot bie swung to. an angle which is of degrees, as was the case of the first example described. Furthermore, if desired, the anges o. the side 'frame pieces may be cut so as to engage the topsv of the plates when swung out as in Fig. 1'1 and Fig. 8. In either case the entire structure rests on the closure. plates when movedlto the position of Fig. 11, and. the. balance of the structure is such that this. insures a vertical position for the frame and the. lens plate.

TheV closure plates. can. readily be swung to a position; so that, with the hooks7 engaging the. tie rods, the plates, lie. generally parallel with the side frame parts. The space. between the flanges on` the. side: parts. and.. the. lens carryingv plate isv suchy thatthe hooked ends. of. the closure plates may then be. slid up inthe channel thus provided.

By reference to Fig. 9 it will become evident'. that when. theclosure plates. reach the upper end of this sliding movementv the hook portions are cammed outwardly bythe two. slopes. of the cam pieces located at. the. upper corners of the frame, which provides a, relatively snugr fit for the upper ends of the. closure. plates atthe point whentheir lower ends are in abutment.. as. illus.- trated in Fig. l0..

There. are holes. 32, in. the two. cover plates, and the lens plate is provided with. a hole. 33 said holes coming into. juxtaposition. when the closure: plates are in their upper position. The case to be. carried by means oi theseA holes, sathat. the` act of inserting. thenger inthe. holes will keepthe: closure. plates in position.. The. case is stored vertically in. a carrier, in thisy position. The standard carrying. case. will take three o the devices.

In; order that they device withstand. the wind test, a series. et holes, 34. a-re. formed in the two side frames and the lens plate: has holes in as at.- 35, cutting downwind resistance.

It: cani be noted thatY thee structure of'. this. form 5 is simpler than the other, but that it is alike to the other in its general structure and behavior.

Additional modifications within the scope of the appended claims are contemplated as within my invention, where equivalent means is employed functioning in a like manner to attain the ends recited therein.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a highway flare having a three sided frame, a flare plate secured between the sides of the frame, a pair of tie rods connecting the sides of the frame at the open end thereof, closure plates held in place in the frame between the sides thereof and the flare plate, by means of said tie rods, said plates arranged to slide in the space between the flare plate and the frame sides, and said closure plates having hooks to engage over said tie rods.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which the closures plates have hooks thereon which will engage over the tie rods at the lower portion of said plates, whereby the plates will swing to a a supporting surface, the relation of the side frame portions and the flare plate being such that the closure plates cannot swing to an angle of as much as 180 degrees.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the closure plates are formed with holes therein, and the flare plate is formed with a hole, all of said holes coming into registry when the closure plates are slid to a position of enclosing the flare plates for the purpose described.

4. The combination of claim 1 in which the iiare plate is held in the frame by means of tongues thereon engaging in slots in the sides of said frame.

HAROLD B. FRYE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Nam-ey Date 1,213,409 Pfeifer Jan. 23, 1917 1,991,030 Schimmel Feb. 12, 1935 2,256,014 Carver Sept. 16, 1941 

